Canterbury

Then my tour of the city started at the imposing sixteenth century entry to the cathedral, Christ Curch Gate

Along Burgate through the part of the city bombed in 1942, I passed the tower of St Mary Magdalene Church.

The Zoar chapel occupies the site of a bastion of the medieval walls, which in turn occupy the line of defence works built by the Romans.

You can walk a section of these walls today

A section of Canterbuy's medieval wall walk.

After crossing Watling Street, the Roman Road from the City of London, you have a view of Dane John (possibly a corruption of donjon or dungeon) Gardens with a Regency terrace

There’s a fine view from an earthen mound, which was an Iron Age burial site now bearing the monument to Alderman Simmons , who reshaped the mound and laid out the Gardens in the late eighteenth century.

Leaving the walls near to a crossing to Canterbury East station I walked to Canterbury Castle, begun in 11oo

The castle was captured by the French Dauphin in 1216 and by Wat Tyler’s rebels in 1381 and suffered from its subsequent use as a coke store

I passed many historic buildings in Church Lane and Stour St. and came to the hospital for poor pilgrims

By the river are some impressive Old Weavers Houses reminding us that Canterbury had been home to Huguenot Refugees in the sixteenth century and they had established silk weaving and other industries.

Nearby, in front of the theatre that bears his name, there is a monument to Christopher Marlowe, who was born in Canterbury.

The former Blackfriars monastery once spanned the river

Not far from here is the Old Synagogue.

In King Street is Sir John Boy’s house with a leaning door

This is the gateway to the old palace.

Further along Palace street is Conquest House and The Tudor House

Nearly back at the cathedral is the Sun Hotel, where Dickens stayed.

I had walked about four miles that winter afternoon and gained a picture of this compact city’s diverse history.

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